Top 8 Best Travel Coffee Mugs

Having your coffee or tea to go is one of the most common things that people do everyday. We don’t all have time to sit around and finish it before we rush out the door to catch the train, bus, get in the car etc. So it’s not unusual for anyone to fill up a travel mug with their coffee to drink on the go. However, not all can retain heat well and finding one of the best travel coffee mugs that keeps your drink hot for hours needn’t be hard if you know what to look for.

A thermos flask can do the job pretty well but they are often bulky in design and you have to pour it out into a little cup to drink. Not ideal when you’re on the move. We’ve put together a guide on how to buy a coffee travel mug and a list of the 8 best travel coffee mugs in regards to how well it retains heat, how leak and spill proof it is, durability, sturdiness, ease of use, ease of cleaning as well as design.

Choosing a Travel Coffee Mug

Buying a poorly made travel mug is a waste of money so before you just choose any old one that looks good or seems to be good value for money, here’s some features you may want to think about. These will ensure your insulated travel mug remains hot until it’s finished without risk of spillage or damage.

Capacity

The more liquid a travel mug can hold, the bigger it’s going to be whether it’s in height or width. This can make it awkward to carry. There’s no point getting a mug with a large capacity if you usually have a small cup of coffee or tea even if the bigger one seems to be better value for money.

Size

If you’re driving or sitting in a car for your travels, then it’s best to get a travel coffee mug that will fit into your cup holder. Not only does this prevent the mug from getting knocked over but it makes it easier for you to grab and take a sip when you’ve stopped.

For anyone not travelling in a car, the size should be considered as you will need to place it in your bag once you’re done with it. Some bags have pockets to hold drinks so if you want it to fit it in here for ease of access, this is something to think about.

BPA Free

This type of chemical is fully named as Bisphenol-A which is commonly used in many food plastic materials such as lunch containers, drink bottles etc.

Health authorities have warned that products with BPA can be toxic and harmful to our health as it can alter hormones and certain cells so it’s best to steer clear of this.

As the awareness grows of this, more products are being manufactured without this and will have labels such as ‘BPA free’, ‘FDA approved’ or ‘food safe’ to deem the product safe to use. The use of silicone is considered safe and BPA free as well.

Type of Lid

Travel mugs are commonly fitted with lid caps which can easily snap off if it’s knocked over or dropped. It doesn’t matter how tightly fitted on it is as once the mug falls, the sudden pressure of the liquid and heat inside will cause the cap to pop off. The best lid that will stay securely on your travel coffee mug is a screw on lid.

Spill and Leak Resistant

Despite the type of lid used, leakage can still occur if the lid isn’t built well. A sure fire way to limit the spill and leak potential is to ensure the lid is fitted with a silicone ring to seal any cracks and gaps. Thermos flasks are typically fitted with these on their lids which is what most of the best travel coffee mugs also use.

Type of Material

Common materials used in an insulated travel mug are stainless steel and plastic. The better choice to use is stainless steel as it can keep your drink hot for longer, it doesn’t give off a horrible plastic taste and it’s BPA free. Plastic is more prone to breakage and damage but stainless steel can take more bumps and knocks without denting or breaking. Stainless steel is more expensive than plastic but in the long run, it’s going to last longer.

Double Wall Construction

Besides ensuring the material of the mug is stainless steel, it’s a good idea to make sure it has a double wall construction as this will keep your drink hot for even longer. Without this extra insulation, it will only last around 30 minutes whereas with it, you can expect your hot drink to retain its heat for 1 to 2 hours. That’s long enough to see you through your commute and into work or wherever your destination may be.

Outer Grip

For ease of handling, it’s best to look for a travel mug that has some sort of grippable material on the exterior. If you’re smart enough to get a stainless steel travel mug, holding these won’t be so ergonomically friendly as the steel doesn’t provide a good grip and can slip out of your hand. Most coffee travel mugs are cleverly designed with a silicone sleeve to provide an ergonomical grip to prevent slippage.

Our 8 Best Travel Coffee Mugs Reviewed

8. Bodum Vacuum Travel Mug

Made with a stainless steel body, the Bodum Vacuum Travel Mug has a double wall vacuum insulation that can keep your drink hot or cold for up to 3 hours. Available in a range of colours from dark to bright, it’s designed with a silicone sleeve and lid in matching colours. This sleeve enables the user to firmly hold the mug so it won’t slip out of their hands whilst on the move.

The lid has a pop open stopper on the edge providing access for you to drink from there without having to remove the lid.

With the screw on lid, it seals on tight quite well but unfortunately it’s not 100% leak or spill proof because of the clip shut flap so it should be kept upright at all times and not rolling around in a bag. Overfilling the travel mug past its recommended capacity of 350 ml will result in too much pressure and cause liquid to leak out as well.

Despite the possible leakage from the lid, the base is fitted with a non-slip bottom which enables it stay upright when set down on a flat surface even if it’s in a moving vehicle. Overall, this insulated travel mug is well made and keeps drinks hot for a very long time which is ideal for anyone who has a long commute or trip. It’s easy to clean with the wide opening too.

7. KeepCup Brew – Cork Edition

Innovatively designed to replicate the main purpose of disposable cups, the KeepCup Brew is reusable, recyclable and practical. The size is compact with a fill capacity of 340 ml which is enough for a tall sized coffee in Starbucks. Constructed from strong tempered soda-lime glass and a BPA free polypropylene lid, this travel mug is easy to wash and microwave safe. The lid has a large drinking hole and seals tight with a plug which is efficient in preventing leaks.

Due to the glass, it unfortunately doesn’t retain heat very well for long and it gets super hot to the touch. Luckily, there’s a thermal cork band fitted around it to protect your hand as well as providing a comfortable hold on the mug.

For a glass travel mug, it’s pretty light at only 270 g. With the slimmer bottom half, it fits nicely into any standard sized cup holder without covering up the cork band so you can grab the mug for a sip without burning your fingers.

Drinking from this doesn’t give off any plastic taste despite the plastic lid and the coffee taste isn’t altered either thanks to the glass material. It’s easy to fill up at any coffee shop because of its low height, comfortable to carry and doesn’t leak. At the price it’s going for, it won’t leave a hole in your pocket and because of its material, it can be recycled so it’s eco-friendly too.

6. Thermos Stainless Steel King Travel Mug

With a large fill capacity of 470 ml, the Thermos Stainless Steel King Travel Mug is ideal for anyone who enjoys a big Cup of Joe to give them a head start in the morning or just wants to sip it slow throughout the morning for little boosts. Made with Thermos vacuum insulation technology, hot drinks are kept hot for up to 5 hours although after 10 hours, coffee is still pretty warm! It can even be used for cold drinks which will keep cool for a whopping 9 hours.

Made with tough stainless steel construction, it can withstand any knocks and bumps without risk of damage. There’s no silicone band on the exterior as it stays cool to the touch when it’s filled with hot liquids and when it’s filled with cold liquids, there’s no condensation build up so it won’t become wet and slippery. Its shape is quite slim although tall in height, it comfortably fits into your hand or if you’ve got small hands, it can be held by the handle.

Featuring a BPA free DrinkLock sealing lid, this screws on securely and has a silicone ring around it to maximise the prevention of leakages too. It twists open with a knob to enable you to drink from the either side of the opening so it’s suitable for left or right handed users. On the flip side of the lid, there’s a small hook which can be confusing for anyone who is purely a coffee drinker. This hook conveniently holds tea bags so it’s not left over brewing in your tea.

As expected from Thermos, this is one of their best travel coffee mugs that will see you through a lifetime with its excellent high quality build and design. It’s completely leak and spill proof no matter what happens to it and great in keeping your coffee hot for nearly the entire day. It’s expensive but worth every penny and comes with a 50 year guarantee too.

5. Mighty Mug Go – The Travel Mug That Won’t Fall Over

Cleverly designed, the Mighty Mug Go is impossible to knock over. It’s 100% spill and knock proof thanks to its Smartgrip which is a suction-style base that sucks onto any smooth, flat and solid surface. Just like any other mug, it can be lifted up but there’s no strength or pulling required – simply lift it straight upwards holding it above the wavy line to release its powerful suction.

Made from BPA free plastic and constructed with a double wall construction, this travel mug can keep your coffee hot for a good hour or so. Using a simple flip top for the lid to drink from, the mouthpiece can be a bit awkward to wrap your lips over though it doesn’t leak as you drink from it. When it’s shut, it enables you to carry the mug around upright without spilling. Its shape is slim so it gives a comfortable hold on it particularly at the bottom.

This unspillable travel mug is great for anyone who is known to be accident prone thanks to its sucker base. Because of the Smartgrip, this travel mug can be used for more than just a daily commute, it can be used for plane journeys, boat trips, on camping trips etc. With a large capacity of 470 ml, it’s priced reasonably and does the job well.

4. Thermos Ultimate Stainless Steel Travel Beaker

Looking like a thermos flask, the Thermos Ultimate Stainless Steel Travel Beaker is designed with the same Thermos vacuum insulation technology that provides maximum temperature retention whether your drink is hot or cold. Your Cup of Joe can keep the same hotness up to 5 hours and for those hot summer days, an icy cold drink will stay cold for 9 hours. It doesn’t require an extra cup to drink from as it’s made to be drunk straight from the beaker by the lid.

The lid screws on and off quite easily and along with the silicone ring inside, it’s tightly sealed to prevent any leakages or spills even if it drops or falls sideways or upside down inside your bag.

Opening the clasp and button on the lid will reveal a mouthpiece slanting upwards enabling you to drink from it without spilling a drop.

Because it’s so easy to open, this can be done with just one hand making it ideal if your hands are full which is often the case in commutes.

Designed with a slim and contoured body, it provides a comfortable hold and fits into most cup holders. It has a generous fill capacity of 470 ml although you could push your luck to 500 ml without any consequences. Made from stainless steel, this travel beaker is light and compact making it easy to carry around. It retains heat very well and past the given time limit as expected from a well-known brand.

3. Zojirushi Stainless Steel Non-Stick Vacuum Travel Mug

Designed for ease of use whilst on the go, the Zojirushi Stainless Steel Non-Stick Vacuum Travel Mug is fitted with a flip open lid to enable you to drink straight from it steadily without spilling a drop. It has an air vent to allow condensation from hot drinks to drip right back down into the mug so it doesn’t get the lid all wet. Featuring a safety locking mechanism, the lid locks shut when it’s not in use to prevent any accidental openings whilst it’s in your bag.

Made with vacuum insulation technology, the temperature change in hot drinks is minimal so it can keep your coffee hot for up to 6 hours before it starts to slowly drop to a warm temperature. The interior is coated with a non-stick coating which prevents your coffee from staining the inside or leaving behind any odours.

Washing this insulated coffee mug couldn’t be any easier with just a rinse and the mouthpiece is removable from the lid to give it a thorough clean too.

Although this coffee travel mug costs more than some of the best travel coffee mugs featured in this article, the quality is far more superior than some. Spending a bit extra goes a long way. It’s built well, completely 100% leak and spill proof, made with BPA free materials, easy to use, has excellent heat retention and ideal for use in any setting. What’s more is that it comes in a variety of sizes including 360 ml, 480 ml and 600 ml.

2. Thermos Stainless King Travel Tumbler

As expected from any of the best travel coffee mugs from Thermos featured in this article so far, the Thermos Stainless King Travel Tumbler is no different with its Thermos vacuum insulation technology to keep hot drinks hot past the marked 5 hours.

Similar to the King Travel Mug, it uses the same Drinklock sealing lid with the hook underneath to hold tea bags and again is excellent in preventing leaks and spills when drinking and when it’s safely locked shut.

With this travel tumbler, there’s no handle to hold it from but its body is more slimmer and contoured to provide an easier hold even for someone with small hands. The fill capacity is 470 ml which is the same as the King Travel Mug but it’s priced a lot less yet does the same job just as well. Without the handle, it’s less bulky and slightly lighter as well.

1. Contigo Autoseal West Loop Stainless Steel Travel Mug

Featuring an innovatively designed unique lock system, the Contigo Autoseal West Loop Stainless Steel Travel Mug is made with a lid with Autoseal that allows you to take sips from it without any spillage or leakage. Simply pressing the button will open the spout for drinking and releasing it will automatically seal it back up. The button is made with a smooth rubber material so it provides a good grip and can be used with just one hand.

Constructed out of stainless steel with a double wall vacuum insulation, your coffee can be kept hot for up to 5 hours but the temperature is slower to drop compared to most insulated travel mugs.

The body is curved to ergonomically fit into your hands to enable you to hold it comfortably near the lid to push open and drink from. With the screw on lid, it’s rubberised around the edge to provide a good grip for taking it off for cleaning which is easy to do with no loose fiddly parts.

Although this coffee travel mug won’t keep drinks as hot as some of the other best travel coffee mugs in this list, it’s priced slightly less than some, easier to clean, completely leak and spill proof whether it’s locked shut or open when you’re drinking from the spout with its clever Autoseal design and has a much wider choice of colours for you to choose from.